Kirchliche Hochschule Wuppertal (Hochschule für Kirche und Diakonie)

About Kirchliche Hochschule Wuppertal

Kirchliche Hochschule Wuppertal (KiHo Wuppertal) — also known as Hochschule für Kirche und Diakonie — is a small, church-governed university of theology in Wuppertal, North Rhine-Westphalia. Founded on 1 November 1935 by the Confessing Church as a direct response to Nazi interference with state theological faculties, it has maintained an identity rooted in critical, resistant theology.

The institution offers a single foundational degree programme in Evangelische Theologie (Protestant Theology) leading to either the Pfarramt (pastoral ministry first theological examination) or the Magister theologiae / Magistra theologiae, alongside a Master of Theological Studies, doctoral studies (Promotion), and post-doctoral habilitation. Six academic chairs cover Old Testament and Biblical Archaeology, New Testament and Theological Gender Studies, Church History, Systematic Theology and Philosophy, Religious Studies and Intercultural Theology, and Practical Theology.

Important notice: KiHo Wuppertal has announced it will accept enrolments only until Summer Semester 2026 and plans to close on 31 March 2027. Prospective students should verify current status before applying.

Key facts

Founded: 1935
Students: 200

Founded 1935 by the Confessing Church — one of Germany's few remaining independent church-governed theological universities

No Numerus Clausus: open admission for qualified applicants

Residential campus model integrating academic study with community and spiritual life

International Study Program (ISP) with the United Evangelical Mission for Global South exchange students

Four specialist research institutes including institutes for biblical archaeology, feminist theology, intercultural theology, and Septuagint research

Very low semester contribution (~€225) with no tuition fees charged

Admissions & costs

Tuition & fees

No tuition fees charged. Semester contribution (as of Summer Semester 2024): approximately €225.40 total, comprising €176.40 for the NRW public-transport semester ticket (Deutschlandticket equivalent), €44.00 for student services (Hochschulsozialwerk), and €5.00 for student representation (AStA).

Admission requirements

No Numerus Clausus (NC) applies — admission is open to all holders of a German Abitur or recognised equivalent university entrance qualification. Applicants submit an application form with passport photo, copy of qualification certificate, CV, and proof of statutory health insurance. An International Study Program (ISP) run jointly with the United Evangelical Mission (VEM) offers Global South students a one-semester exchange option. APS certificate is not explicitly required by the institution itself, but Indian/Chinese/Vietnamese applicants still need APS for their German student visa. No specific German language level is stated as a precondition for admission; language skills are expected to develop during studies.

Application deadlines

No fixed NC-based application deadline published. The institution recommends applying as early as possible. Re-registration deadlines for continuing students are binding each semester. Confirm current deadlines directly with the Studierendensekretariat as the institution is winding down enrolments (last intake: Summer Semester 2026).

Languages of instruction

German (primary language of instruction). English-language website available. Three classical languages (Hebrew, Greek, Latin) must be acquired during the theology programme and can be studied at the institution.

Campuses & locations

Campus Wuppertal

Single residential campus in Wuppertal including lecture halls, library, dormitories, chapel, and cafeteria. Address: Missionsstraße 9 a/b, 42285 Wuppertal.

Living in Nordrhein-Westfalen

Wuppertal is a post-industrial city of around 350,000 in the Bergisches Land region of North Rhine-Westphalia, known for its historic Schwebebahn (suspended monorail). It hosts several higher education institutions and has a relatively affordable cost of living compared to German metropolitan centres. The city is well connected by rail to Cologne (30 min) and Düsseldorf (25 min).

Student life & support

KiHo Wuppertal operates as a tight-knit residential community of approximately 200 students. Campus life centres on the library, chapel, and communal dining. The institution has historically emphasised community living (Wohngemeinschaft culture) as integral to theological formation. Student representation is active through the AStA. The Hochschulsozialwerk Wuppertal provides broader student welfare services across the city's universities.

International Office: [email protected] International students page →

Accredited Programmes

Magister

Master